Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-08-16
NORMAL NOTES.
Yesterday morning, Monday, the Institute
convened at the usual hour of 7:45 O'Clock.
Exercises of worship were conducted by

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convened at the usual hour of 7:45 O'Clock.
Exercises of worship were conducted by
Many new members came in-members
that will not only add to our numerical
force, but . greatly increase, our mental
strength.
Our list continually increases.
This is as,lt should be, and we would say
to the school boards Of this county and city,
if you want to know the qualifications of
your teachers, If you want to know how they
rank among other teachers, come to our
Normal Institute and see for yourself. Ev-
erything is in fine working order, smoothe
and harmonious.
Never. was there a mere business like as.
sembly. All are clad in battle ar1ay-all are
eager for the coming conflict.
And it comesl
Weather or no we ather, the work increases.
Each day brings out new methods, djsput-
ed points and pulling questions.
Prof. Mcneil has the happy faculty of say
ing 1--WE will pass to the next topic" just
when the discussion seems likely to dwell on
insignificant minutiae instead of evolving
accurate thoughts and points.
He talks to the point, and ''nirabile
dictu" stops when he reaches
it. He does not talk all
over it back and fourth, complete by OBJ
scuring the idea by multiplicity of words.
1t was either Shakespeare or this reporter
who wrote that brief talks, terse descrip-
tions, concise illustrations bearing di-
rectly upon topic discussed, are the essent-
ials of profitable institute. In the arith-
metic class Prof. Mcneil introduced the sub
iect, division of fractions All of the main
points that could be properly considered as
belonging to the subject were brought out by
different individuals.
Let individuality above all things. be cult
vated Servile imitation is degrading.
If we were a dyspeptic, we would not
want Prof. Shull to prescribe a system Of
1ietetics for us-unless We wanted to get
we'll. He is down on cake, cabbage and
alcoholic drinks. Really, he docs not seem
20 think one needs even a little .wine-or
oeer-"for the stomach's sake"
What grand and practical lessons can be
lrawn from this daily lesson in physiology.
Prof. Phillips like an .untiring sentinel, is
.lways.. found at his pest. His lessons yester-
lay were unusually good. We are satisfied
hat not principle, rule or definition was
eft unexplained to his class.
If there 4 was ever man q who took
cience ont of books and put
under your feet, over you head, down your
hroat into the tea kettle and coffee pot,
nto your food, in the trees, air and all
round you, that man is Prof. J. M. Naylor.
lie is fine practical instructor. And then;
is military drills are the inspiration of the
ay. Music and marching are fine revival
;ts
7ell known among,the teachers and educa-
onal workers in this locality. This gentle |
ian favored us with an instructive address |
n reading. He discussed the various meth |
DIS of teaching this art, deciding in favor of
ne phonetic, but suggesting to the young |
eacher that he.could not perhaps follow any
ne method to the exclusion of all others. |
rof Fitzpatrick said he thought that he
one of the best Institutes here two
ears ago in which he was ever interested,
ut that the present assemblage of teachers,
lie energy and thorou2hness manifested now,
xcelled any thing he had ever witnessed. We
nagined he looked us right in the eye when
3 said that. We were not here two years
20.
If there are any live teachers in Sedgwick
,unty who are not here they are missing
,e of the grand opportunities of their lives.
1t is not too late to enter the institute, but
| should come as soon as possible.
If there is an instructor within radius of
he hundred miles of Wichita who could
ar Prof. McNeal conduct his classes in
ethods and school organization and not be-
me enthusiastic and enamored and bene-
ted, that instructor has about as much
oppressive spirit as snail. II
He should wrap himself Sin the solitude of
S own originality" and HE away to some
4uestered place where there is neither an
stitute nor tho Sbadow If a taachor ,